Hi guys,

I was lucky enough to get my first eagle at our company golf tourney last month. I came away with a special gift. Someones stray golf ball landed smack center on the back of my roof panel. The dent is too big for PDR according to my local shop. They recommended a bondo fill and repaint for about $550. Any advice on this? I can't believe that my relatively new car managed to find the lucky spot but that's how the ball rolls (flies?).

I don't have any history with body work on any of my cars. Right now I am leaving it alone, it didn't break the paint and it's really along the center line so while it looks bad it certainly could have looked worse. I just don't want to do any half-assed repair.

Thanks in advance.

-SocalFitz

2006 GT Premium
Vista Blue
7300 Miles

 

Got a pic? I wouldn't rely on the bodyshop to determine whether or not DentWizard, etc can repair it.

 

Wow, The roof...that's a tough one. I'd still contact Dr. Dent, Dent Wizard, etc., maybe they can remove part of the head liner and get to it to tap it out... doesn't seem likely, but I'd try everything before plunking $550.00 down

 

I recently had a small incident with my convertible, a friend slipped while putting the kickstand down on his motorcycle and it fell against my 05 putting a fairly sizeable dent in the right rear fender above the rear wheel. Thankfully my friend wasn't hurt, he had fallen off the bike and it pinned him against the car. He was very upset about the dent, and we took it to a PDR shop here in Austin, Austin Dent Works. They fixed the dent (which was far bigger than a golf ball, and deeper too) in less than three hours for $200. I was thrilled to say the least! I'd definitely investigate the PDR route more before letting it go to a bodyshop. If they can routinely fix hail dents I'm sure they can fix one ding in your roof!

 

karma sucks.

 

WOW! Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, some body shops shy away from PDR cuz they can get more cash for actual bondo and paint work. Go to a body shop that SPECIALIZES in PDR and see what they say. I had a monster dent in the side of my Ranger thanks to a stupid kid in the SUV next to me in a parking lot. Cost me $60.00 and the truck bed looked like new. As always... GET A SECOND OPINION.

 

The shop I went to does specialize in PDR. The main concern of theirs was the depth of the dent. He said they COULD remove it but due to the depth it would leave a visible crease still. I'll take it to a few other shops and see what they say. It is beyond just a basic dent though, the shop said that stretched the metal out a bit and hence they could never completely remove it like they would most other dents.

Of course if I don't get the thing clean it sure won't matter, the dirt covers it up just fine

If anyone knows a good shop in the SoCal area a referral is appreciated.

Merry Christmas everyone.

-SocalFitz

 

I'd try some other PDR places. Saying a golf ball dent is too deep so just slap a wad of bondo on it to fix it up seems shady to me. I've seen PDR take out enourmous dents before, and if it didn't completely take the dent out then they resorted to a bit of bondo, sanding and paint.

 

I would definatly have it PDR'ed out as best as possible. Then bondo.

The other way to do it would be to pull the headliner, hammer and dolly it out while shrinking the metal, then bondo and paint.

But I think if it were my car, I would just want it PDR'ed and filled. Rather than touch the interior or anything.

 

Another, though more expensive option, is to replace your roof with a CDC Glass Panel!!

 

Oh, now THAT would be fun to park near a golf course!!

 

Definitely go with PDR...I have used them for years and never disappointed...just remember some specialists are lot better than other ones...check around...I have one whom I've used for the past 8 years...he's the best I've seen...bondo and repainting should be the absolute last resort!